Thursday, Sep 13, 2007
Lake Village Fire Company units responded to a report of an overturned truck and trailer with two persons trapped inside at the East Entrance during the early morning hours of September 7th. Fire captain Frank DeLuca arrived on scene first, established command, and reported that there were two elderly victims, both with injuries, trapped inside their vehicle, which was pinned between a jackknifed and overturned fifth wheel trailer and the roadside guardrail. The overturned trailer had a ruptured propane line and was expelling a large amount of propane from two tanks throughout the accident scene. Lake firefighters, who arrived with two engines and a hazardous materials unit, donned self-contained breathing apparatus and crawled under the wreckage with a hose line. They forced entry into the trailer and disconnected the propane tanks, making it possible for medical personnel to safely enter the area. Paramedics then crawled inside the mangled vehicle to treat the two victims while firefighters employed extrication tools, including the “Jaws of Life,” to free them from the wreckage. Three heavy duty wreckers were later employed to upright the vehicle and trailer and disentangle them from the guardrail. The victims were taken to West Park Hospital in Cody, where they were treated for possible broken ribs and numerous lacerations and contusions. Both were later released. The success of this rescue operation was another great example of the excellent working relationship between NPS work groups in the Lake area. The Lake Village Fire Company is made up of members from several divisions and specialties, including law enforcement, interpretation, paramedics, the Lake garage, bear management, Lake maintenance, and concession employees from Xanterra and Delaware North. District ranger Michael Keator was the incident commander. Ranger Kyle McDowell is investigating the accident.
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